BUILDING THE BEST HEALTHCARE IN THE SOUTH-WEST

Families in the south-west will be able to count on the quality care they need, when they need it, closer to home under a re-elected Andrews Labor Government, with a boost to the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).

When your kid gets sick or there’s an emergency, it’s not too much to ask that there is good healthcare nearby – so you don’t have to drive to the closest regional town or even Melbourne just to get the treatment you need.

That’s why the Andrews Labor Government established the landmark $250 million RHIF – the largest fund of its kind in Victorian history. From new operating theatres for more life-saving surgeries to quality facilities for staff, the RHIF has changed the face of healthcare in our regional centres and rural towns.

Throughout the region, the RHIF has funded planning for a bigger and better Warrnambool Base Hospital, an upgrade of the Urgent Care Unit at Otway Health and Community Services and the replacement of the emergency generator at Timboon and District Healthcare Service.

It’s just a few of the 283 projects all over Victoria funded through the RHIF – part of our promise to make sure Victorians have a health service they can count on, when they need it most.

We’ve repaired the Liberals’ billion dollar cuts to health, ended the ambulance crisis and backed our doctors and nurses by building them the state-of-the-art hospitals they need to do what they do best – but there’s more to do.

Labor will provide a $100 million boost to the RHIF, so even more health services in the south-west can build new facilities or complete the upgrades they need.

It means better care for patients, peace of mind for families and more jobs for local construction workers in the south-west.

We’re growing healthcare in rural and regional Victoria, and delivering 500,000 more specialist medical appointments in regional communities over four years, so patients don’t have to spend hours away from loved ones to get the care they need.

The Liberals cut health every chance they get, and leave rural and regional healthcare in ruins. The Federal Liberal Government is proposing to short-change Victorian hospitals by $2.1 billion over 5 years. For Warrnambool that means a $26 million cut to our hospital - the equivalent of 87 doctors, 208 nurses or 4,195 elective surgeries.

Only Labor will stand with regional and rural Victorian patients and staff – and ensure they get the best care, no matter where they live.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“I grew up in regional Victoria, and I know how important good healthcare is to local families when someone gets sick. We’re upgrading regional and rural hospitals around the state, so the best treatment is just around the corner.”

“Regional and rural Victorians are proud of their hospitals and health centres – and proud of the hard-working doctors, nurses and staff who run them. We’ll stand with them, and help them do what they do best.”